Up to date probation report ordered for Offaly man who committed 'vast' number of offences

JUDGE Andrew Cody told Tullamore District Court that a local man's attitude to the probation service was poor but nonetheless adjourned sentencing him.

Jake Colleran (21), The Green, Clara, had previously pleaded guilty to what Judge Cody said were “a vast” number of offences, including many violations of road traffic laws.

Colleran previously admitted two counts of dangerous driving, having no insurance and driving a dangerously defective vehicle at Chancery Lane, Tullamore on June 19, 2022.

He has been accused of dangerous driving at Kilbride Road, Clara on both November 21 and November 28, 2022, along with dangerous driving at Ballickmoyler, Clara and Beechmount Avenue, Clara, and Kilbeggan Road, Clara.

The young man has also been convicted of a breach of the peace and public drunkenness at Hayes Cross, Tullamore on December 23, 2022.

A previous sitting of the court was told by a garda sergeant that the June 19 incident at Chancery Lane in Tullamore occurred during a “cannonball run” event at 1.30pm on a Sunday when gardai noticed a Volkswagen Passat with substantial damage to its front side.

It was driving on the R420 towards the N52 and going in and out of heavy traffic. When a garda drove towards it “the driver took a sudden sharp right turn at the roundabout and immediately passed a large tractor and trailer on the bend”.

Gardai followed the vehicle down Chancery Lane and when the driver lost control he was forced to drive straight down a farm lane narrowly missing a pedestrian who had to take evasive action and jump into the ditch.

The car came to a halt and the driver was apprehended after a foot pursuit. He admitted having no insurance or brakes on the car.

Sergeant James O'Sullivan told that sitting of the court that Colleran was an unaccompanied learner driver and the vehicle was dangerously defective.

The November 28, 2022 prosecution arose from what was seen at 1.55pm on that date when Colleran was in a BMW.

When he was signalled to stop he refused to do so and took off at high speed. It was unsafe for the gardai to follow him through the town.

On December 23 last at Hayes Cross, Tullamore he was found in a drunken condition and was abusive to gardai and public and arrested for his own safety.

The man also previously admitted driving without insurance and tax at Main Street, Tullamore on January 14 last year while being an unaccompanied learner driver.

Further summonses related to motoring offences in a different vehicle at Kilbride Street in the town on August 27, 2022.

In November, 2022, Colleran admitted to a summons alleging assault at the Applegreen filling station, Main Street, Tullamore.

That offence was committed on September 30, 2021 and he pleaded guilty to throwing an ignited firework from a car on the same occasion.

At the time Judge Cody remarked that by throwing the firework at a woman in the forecourt he could have “blown up half of Tullamore”.

Last week David Nugent, BL, defending, asked that the accused be allowed complete the course he was currently undertaking.

Sergeant Richard Thornton told Judge Cody that Colleran had not come to garda attention recently.

Judge Cody said the accused's attitude was poor but he would give him one more opportunity to complete the Athy Alternative Project (a project to enable people involved in criminal activity to reduce their offending behaviour, improve their life options and participate positively in the community).

He adjourned all matters to July 17 next for an up to date probation report.